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One of the 20th-century’s greatest literary voices — I can’t remember off the top of my head whether it was Flannery O’Connor or Stevie Nicks — once wrote that there’s nothing cheaper than free. This may be true in theory, but puppies are not theoretical. They are living, breathing creatures who will depend on you for everything from food and shelter to love and exercise. If you’ve come here today asking, “Where can I get free puppies?” and are looking for definite answers about getting free puppies, you’re out of luck. You will get some vague ones, along with some useful alternatives, to be sure.

Free puppies — some facts up front

Why would we deny you certainties when it comes to free puppies? The simple fact is that, while it is possible to locate and bring home free puppies that cost you nothing up front — from a classified ad in the newspaper or on Craigslist (which, in most cases, is not a recommended means of finding a puppy — more on that later), for instance — there are always costs associated with pet ownership. Whether the friend you seek is a cute puppy, lizard, fish or dwarf hamster, any pet you adopt has needs, and providing for them always incurs costs, both financial and otherwise. For puppy ownership, you can expect to lay out money on:

The myth of free puppies

First, we should investigate what motivates people to go in search of free puppies. Is it the initial investment that drives people to inquire about free puppies or cheap puppies or low-cost puppy adoptions? Is it the assumption that getting a dog involves a major one-time price tag that can potentially run into hundreds, even thousands of dollars?

These notions might be driven by popular or highly visible dog breeds that we see participating in televised dog shows, commercials, television or movies. They could be reinforced by the strange notion that purebred dogs are somehow superior to mixed breeds, mutts, dogs with previous owners, shelter or rescue dogs or the idea that adopting a puppy is a better or more authentic experience than an adult or senior dog. None of these assumptions are quantifiably or objectively true.

The real financial costs of free puppies

Even if you do acquire free puppies, raising live creatures involves substantive investments. Money is required to feed and care for any dog, and there are significant costs in terms of your time, energy, and patience. From a strictly financial perspective, an article by the American Kennel Club details the efforts of two veterinary students from the University of Pennsylvania, Kelly Giffear and Brittany Scott, to determine the real costs of dog ownership.

This study differentiates between costs of owning a dog based on size and lifespan, ranging from small dogs right through to giant breeds. Expense were further broken down by dogs’ most basic needs, from food and essential veterinary services to bedding and toys. They determined that the average cost of dog ownership in the first year alone comes out to $3,085. This amount, it goes without saying, puts the lie to the very notion of a free puppy.

On average, Giffear and Scott estimated that the lifetime expenses associated with raising a dog come out to $23,410. Other sites have attempted to calculate the cost of dog ownership, such as this one from 2011, which has a much higher total, factoring in dog health insurance costs. As far as my own research can find, Giffear and Scott’s findings are the most current systematic and rational attempts to truly price out the real costs of dog ownership, both in the first year and over the life of the dog.

Yes, you can technically get free puppies

Technically, of course, if you are not insistent on a particular breed or mix, you can find free dogs of all ages and sizes. “Where can I get free puppies?” you ask?

Keep an eye out for adoption-fee free events at your local shelters. This is the most responsible way to go about getting free puppies.

You can also ask your friends, coworkers and general acquaintances to keep their ears to the ground for you. Someone’s dog is bound to have puppies eventually, and those puppies will need new homes once they are weaned, around the age of 8 to 12 weeks.

You might also thumb through a daily or weekly newspaper published in your area. Whether that’s a paper with a wide regional circulation, or a local alt-weekly, these publications typically contain at least one page of classifieds. Among them, you’re very likely to find a section dedicated to, or featuring, dogs in need of adoption. Some ads are literally labeled, “Puppies free to good home.”

Craigslist is another potential venue to locate free, cheap or low-cost puppies. However, you need to be especially careful when researching free puppies on the internet, on something like Craigslist. From the landing page, find your home state, and drill down to the metro area closest to you. Under the “Community” heading, there is a category labeled “Pets.” From that point, you’re on your own. If you choose this route, read the listing in full and ask as many relevant questions as possible. Why are they giving the dog away? Is he vaccinated, spayed or neutered?

Valuable alternatives to free puppies

Are you a first-time or prospective dog owner? There are options and alternatives to free puppies that can acclimate you or your children to the experience of living with a dog without incurring the obligations associated with adopting a baby puppy. For example:

Fostering a dog: You can work with a local shelter or rescue and take a puppy or dog into your home on a limited basis. This can give you a taste of dog or puppy ownership without the lifetime commitment.

Visit or volunteer at a dog shelter or rescue: There are many nonprofit, no-kill shelters nationwide that are always looking for dependable and devoted volunteers. The fact that there are rescue organizations dedicated to specific breeds means that you can get exposure to the minutiae of a dog breed without leaping headlong into ownership.

Engaging in time-limited activities with reputable organizations like these in your area can prepare you for the responsibility and investment involved in the long-haul of puppy or dog ownership.

About the author:

Melvin Peña trained as a scholar and teacher of 18th-century British literature before turning his research and writing skills to puppies and kittens. He enjoys making art, hiking, and concert-going, as well as dazzling crowds with operatic karaoke performances. He has a one-year-old female Bluetick Coonhound mix named Idris, and his online life is conveniently encapsulated here.

25 comments on “Where Can I Get Free Puppies?”

we got what we thought was a great deal from our dog shelter a beautiful boxer fell in love with him boy did we get it he was so sick cost us so much money the vet we took him to was so mad that they put a sick dog like that out for someone adopt but we kept him and worked very hard to get him well and put lots of weight on him ,he turned out to be our baby we had him for 12 years but 1it still makes me mad to this day yhat the do that to people that try to good in the world and adopt so be careful.

I need a cuddly companion,! I had my car stolen & my dog was in the back seat,! They found my car but not my ‘oreo,!😭 He’s my world & I won’t rest till I find him,! But, I need something right now to help me focus,! He is my therphy dog. I’ve had him since he was a year & 1/2 old. Now he’s 5years old. He’s chiped so it’s just a matter of time,! I would appreciate it if you can help me find another puppy to love & cherish,than when,or if, I get Oreo back he will have a play mate,! I’m going insane,! Plz help me find a puppy,! Sincerely, Heartbroken,! ‘Denise’,!????🐾🐾

I am looking for a precious little baby that I can give a FOREVER home. Small dog preference but would also take Golden retriever puppy. Russell Terrier or chiwauhua terrier mix. My puppy was stolen and along went my heart. Please contact me . 985-607-5995. My name is Gina. Hour of day doesn’t matter. Thanks 😗

I enjoyed reading your article on free puppies and you provided some very good points for people who never owned a puppy before, and raising a puppy is not much different than raising a child you must take very good care of them for them to grow up to be adults.

When I was a boy you could find free puppies without much trouble, but today people are even charging for mixed breed puppies and the vet expenses have increased dramatically over the years, but the expense is well worth the love you will receive from raising a puppy of your own.

Adopting a pet is a commitment of love and devotion whether you get it free or adopt from a shelter. To stop overpopulation and abuse you must Spay and neuter your new pet for the millions that die every year in our country alone. Through abuse and neglect. Vet bills are part of pet ownership. Nothing is a for sure perfectly healthy pet wherever you get it, which please do not buy from a pet store. THE WORST FOR ILLNESS AND NEGLECT. Same as when having a human baby.

Adopting a pet is a commitment of love and devotion whether you get it free or adopt from a shelter. To stop overpopulation and abuse you must Spay and neuter your new pet for the millions that die every year in our country alone. Through abuse and neglect. Vet bills are part of pet ownership. Nothing is a for sure perfectly healthy pet wherever you get it, which please do not buy from a pet store. THE WORST FOR ILLNESS AND NEGLECT. Same as when having a human baby. Good luck.

Not so much about dogs, but kitties. Friend of friend had a litter of kittens. FREE!
Oh-Boy! I scooped up two, and thought, “what a deal!” Wrong! After shots, spay,
neuter, worming and chips, bill was about $1000.00! Yikes! But, they are the best,
I gave them to my Aussie, and they all the best buds. Worth every dollar! I always
tell people, if you cannot afford vet bills, DO NOT get a pet!

I want a puppy. Ive had dogs my whole life. My last dog was taken by an eagle. Just swooped Down and took her. I cried for weeks. I had had her for 15 years. I’m so lonely. I’m an elderly woman. I want something small . Would even take a bonded pair. Please help. I don’t have much money. I’m on a fixed income. If you don’t have anything, could you steer me in a direction to find this. I would be forever thankful.

God bless you…I had to scare an owl away who was hunting my precious 5lb. Izzy…I never realized birds of prey hunted dogs too!
I am in the same position you are: looking for a fur baby…
I pray you find another companion soon: they are such a comfort. 💜
L. Marie

Hi I was wondering if you have any type of free puppies available please let me know as soon as possible, I’m an animal lover I love animals whatever I gotta do for them to have a home and safe place they have it all.